“In typical Jaime Hayon style, these Paper Lanterns challenge convention,” notes &tradition Brand Manager Martin Kornbek Hansen. “Seen in an ultra light pendant lamp of rice paper, echoing ancient lanterns from Asia - reinvented in a modern aesthetic.”
Dating back centuries, paper lanterns have featured in Asia amongst the privileged and the poor, where different colours, shapes and sizes connote different meanings. Here Hayon has dispensed with cultural formalities to create a series of lanterns all in white. Hand crafted with rice paper merging various sizes and shapes together.
“Lamps play such an important role in people’s lives,” explains Hayon. “For some cultures, they chase away the darkness by bringing hope. I’ve tried to keep this emotional angle about light – in a lamp that also appears light. By making the bottom part of the lamp open, the idea is to bring even more illumination to people everywhere in the world.”
The Paper Lantern series is comprised of three different versions in ivory white rice paper with black stained oak accents in sizes from 46 cm in diameter to 70 cm. Each weighing only 1 kilo, they hang delicately in any indoor setting. Living proof that when East and West meet, the past becomes the present in a poetic expression of both.
He has designed countless pieces of furniture, lighting fixtures and home accessories, hotel interiors, retail shops, a line of ceramics, shoes and his own collection of timepieces. With designs already in prominent museums around the globe, Hayon is at the forefront of a new wave of talents blurring the lines between art, decoration and design.
With offices in Italy, Spain and Japan, Hayon is a prolific designer keen on exploring new, expressive forms. Armed with a deep respect for artisan skills, finely-crafted details and a passion for play.
CATCH by Jaime Hayon is a chair that welcomes you with open arms. Almost like limbs, the armrests extend outwards ready to embrace you as you sit down. The lightness of the curves are counterbalanced by a sturdy base in this eye catching design with plenty of personality. “Hayon created this witty person-ification to be a comfortable chair able to accommodate various body types,” explains Martin Kornbek Hansen. “It’s his harmonious construction of curves in this inviting shape that won us over at &tradition. In a terrific chair destined to become an icon.”